Chapter 580: The Purifying Flame

The blackened giant tree began to move.

As though legs were sprouting from the earth itself, it dragged its massive roots free from the soil with a sickening, grinding force. Those roots—pitch black, twisted, and unnatural—writhed as they emerged. It was clear at a glance: the corruption here ran deep, far beneath the surface. Purifying something this entrenched would require an enormous amount of purification powder—far more than they likely had on hand.

At the sight of it, the researchers and alchemists fell into visible panic.

“W-What is that…?”

“A manifestation of impurity…? That can’t be…”

“This is bad. Comrade Julius, hold it off while I restrain it—you must purify it in the meantime!”

…Me?

Wouldn’t it be simpler if everyone just threw purification powder at it together? Why single me out?

Well, whatever. If that’s how it’s going to be, then all I have to do is take command and direct everyone to scatter the powder.

Like that old tale of the man who made flowers bloom upon withered trees.

Suddenly, thick, vividly green vines burst forth from the ground. Using them, the Forest Spirit bound the blackened giant tree, locking its movements in place. But even as they tightened, those same vines began to slowly darken, their vibrant green being swallowed by creeping blackness.

The corruption… was far too strong.

“Ghh—so this is how bad it is?! Hurry! I won’t be able to hold it much longer!”

“Understood! Everyone, please—throw the purification powder at it all at once!”

Though their faces still showed traces of confusion, they complied without hesitation, scattering the powder in unison. I guided it forward using wind magic, carrying the cloud of purifying dust toward the monstrous tree.

The blackened giant tree let out a grotesque cry—

“GYEPEEEE!”

…What the hell was that sound?

Looking closer, I realized that at some point, something resembling eyes and a mouth had formed upon its trunk.

What is that… that’s disgusting.

Despite its shrieking, there was no sign that the tree was actually being purified.

“Julius-sama, it doesn’t seem to be working!”

“Yeah… looks like the level of contamination is just too severe.”

“It is almost as though it were the reincarnation of a Bone Dragon…”

That was bad.

The Bone Dragon that Erwin-sama had supposedly defeated… it seemed it had left something behind after all. Not only had the corruption failed to stop—it had spread even further, likely because of this very thing.

If we could bury it under a mountain of purification powder, we might be able to drive it back… but unfortunately, we didn’t have that kind of supply. And besides, this powder had been painstakingly crafted by everyone working together. It wasn’t something we could afford to waste recklessly.

We needed another method.

If only Erwin-sama were here at a time like this…

Should I go call him? No—by the time I got back, it’d already be too late.

Just look at that thing’s eyes. The moment the Forest Spirit’s restraint gives out, it’ll attack without hesitation.

“Julius-sama…”

Fabienne clung tightly to my arm, her eyes shimmering as though she might burst into tears at any moment.

…Yeah.

There’s no choice.

Using light-attribute purification magic would be risky. The moment I used it, everyone would know exactly what I’d done. And turning this entire area into a sacred domain as if nothing had happened? That would be even worse.

So then…

Burn it away with purifying flames?

That should work. To anyone watching, it would just look like it was incinerated by fire.

“That’s okay, Fabienne. I’ll protect you—no matter what. Phoenix Wave!”

From my outstretched palm, a massive bird of flame burst into existence. This time, it surged forward with a roaring tide of fire trailing behind it. The wave of flames crashed down upon the blackened giant tree all at once, engulfing it completely.

I mean… I knew it already, but—

That’s one flashy spell.

As expected of high-tier magic.

“Mii—?! MIGYAAAAAA!”

The giant tree writhed violently, letting out a piercing, inhuman scream. And yet, strangely enough, the vines summoned by the Forest Spirit showed no sign of burning.

If anything… weren’t they getting thicker?

It was almost as if they were being strengthened—fed by the very flames themselves.

“Oooooh! Julius, let’s finish this in one go!”

“Gladly!”

No need to hold back on my account.

Crush that blackened tree bastard for me. I’m counting on you, Forest Spirit!

With a series of loud, splintering cracks, the giant tree was slowly constricted, its massive body groaning under the pressure. Its eyes widened, as if screaming Impossible—

But this is reality.

Give it up and pass on already.

Rest in peace.

With a final, thunderous CRACK, the tree was crushed completely, its body shattered into fragments. The scattered pieces were immediately consumed by the purifying flames, reduced to nothing.

Everyone—except for me and the Forest Spirit—stood there in stunned silence, staring blankly at the scene that had just unfolded.

Well, that takes care of the immediate problem—the blackened giant tree is gone.

The next issue… is what to do now.

The Forest Spirit is a being beyond ordinary understanding, so there’s no problem there.

But me?

Yeah… I’ve got a big problem.

In situations like this, there’s only one solution.

Pretend I’ve collapsed from magical exhaustion.

If I walk around perfectly fine after using a spell like that, I’ll start looking like just as much of an anomaly.

I staggered slightly and leaned against Fabienne.

Forgive me, Fabienne. I’ll apologize properly later.

“Julius-sama! Lionel—Julius-sama has—!”

Before I could even fully lean into her, Lionel swiftly caught me and lifted me up.

As expected of Lionel—fast.

…Though I didn’t even get a chance to enjoy Fabienne’s warmth.

“This is… most likely mana depletion. After using magic of that scale, it’s only natural.”

“Julius-sama…”

“That will not do. In that case, allow me to offer my spirit essence—”

“N-No, that won’t be necessary! A bit of rest will be enough for me to recover.”

What the hell is “spirit essence”?!

I’ve got a really bad feeling about that.

Fabienne, Lionel—don’t just stand there making those faces, stop him!

…Though I guess I’m not in much of a position to complain, pretending to be out of mana and all.

Just as I was starting to feel genuine danger creeping in, Nero stepped forward and held something out.

“Julius-sama, a beginner-grade mana recovery potion. Please, take this for now.”

As expected of Nero.

I knew I could count on him to save me in a moment like this.

It’s a bit of a waste, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

I accepted the potion and drank it down in one go.

…Mm.

Smooth, easy to drink—and honestly, pretty tasty.

Well, of course it is.

I’m the one who made it.

“I feel much better already. As expected of you, Nero.”

“I prepared it just in case something like this happened.”

“Oh… thank goodness…”

Relief washed over Fabienne as she sank weakly to the ground, her legs giving out beneath her.

…Yeah.

I really did put her through a scare.

I’ll make sure to properly apologize later.

“Apologies, but we will be heading back to the village first.”

At my words, the others—who had seemed frozen in place until now—suddenly snapped back to their senses. Some even rubbed their eyes, as though doubting what they had just witnessed.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded if they’d just convinced themselves it was all some kind of illusion.

“Julius-sama, let us return together. It should be about time for lunch, after all. That said… that was an incredible spell. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Indeed, nor have I. To think such magic exists… truly astonishing.”

The researchers and alchemists murmured among themselves in awe.

…Well, now that they mention it, it really is about lunchtime.

Let’s just call it good timing.

Though it seems… they didn’t quite take it as an illusion after all.

What a shame.